Boece in his book of 1527 the 'Historia Gentis Scotorum' (History of the Scottish People), says that this entity was nocht unlike the Loch Doune full of fische.

[3] Harvey of Castle Semple refused the use of Castle Semple loch to the Royal Curling Club for the Grand Match or bonspiel; he could spare no part of the 2-mile-long loch; however, his neighbour, McDowall of Garthland, offered the Barr Meadow, which he flooded to a depth of two to three feet, thereby providing a safe alternative venue.

The ruins of the early mediaeval Peel Tower stand on the southern shore of the loch at Air Meadow, now accessible via a boardwalk from the RSPB reserve.

This tower was probably used as a fortified stronghold by the people of the area around the loch for defense against bandits and other dangers, as only the locals knew the safe paths through the marsh.

It was built in 1504 by John, Lord Sempill, in the grounds of the original (13th-century) Castle Semple, and is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.